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Those two items were mentioned as their reasons for buying a specific product in six of the seven product categories surveyed. Quality was listed as the top reason for buying in three categories – brakes, chassis parts and wiper blades. Availability was the top reason cited in one category – fuel injectors, but was a close second in three other categories – chassis parts, shocks and struts, and wiper blades.

Also appearing as important reasons for buying a specific product were brand, warranty and compatibility.

Technicians most often buy their aftermarket parts from auto parts retailers and warehouse distributors, according to the study. They also tend to buy often from jobbers and auto dealerships. Auto parts retailers were the purchasing source named the most often in five categories – brakes, chassis parts, gaskets, shocks and struts, and wiper blades.

Technicians said auto parts retailers are their preferred purchasing channel in five of the seven categories surveyed – brakes, chassis parts, gaskets, shocks and struts, and wiper blades. Warehouse distributors finished as the second most preferred supplier in three categories – brakes, shocks and struts, and wiper blades; and as the most preferred supplier of auxiliary lighting. Jobbers were the preferred supplier of fuel injectors, according to the study.

The reason technicians say they prefer a certain purchasing channel was most often due to parts availability, with good relationships and fast delivery also frequently mentioned.

Price was only mentioned three times as being one of the preferred reasons that a supplier is selected, and it came in a distant third or fourth in all three mentions.